What support programs are available for a Thai deportee with no resources or connections in Thailand?

Jul 18, 2022
2 years ago
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I have a friend who has been in US since he was a baby and is now facing deportation to Thailand. He knows nothing about Thailand and has no family or resources there. Are there any programs available there that help with integration into society there and helps with housing and finding employment until he can make it on his own? Thank you so much.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the situation of a friend of the asker who is being deported to Thailand after living in the US for most of his life. Concerns are raised about the lack of resources and connections he has in Thailand, as well as the challenges he will face regarding housing and employment. Several commenters suggest options such as teaching English, finding local support from religious or community groups, and contacting the Thai embassy for assistance. They also mention the importance of understanding local integration programs and express sympathy for the difficulties he will encounter in adapting to a new life.
RV *************
I would seriously talk to
@Ryan *****
Mandy ********
************************************
she uses tik tok to explain a lot of what she does legally. She is really good.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mandy *******
thank you. I’ll look into this!
Mark ******
1. Certainly talk to a US immigration lawyer/expert. Believe he can find free services or at minimum a free consultation. Maybe his case could take years to resolve, or there is a stay solution, given the US is the only country he knows. Likely depends on the crime too. 2. Although I do not advocate this, I know several Thais on 20+ year overstays in the US (working at restaurants, cleaners, etc), living with legal family or friends, and fall under the radar until they are ready to return to Thailand.
John ***********
While the usa is allowing a million illegals a year into america, they are deporting a kid thats been here most of his life so far. Maybe he was in trouble with the law ?
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John **********
it’s unfortunate, but he did get into some trouble here. He finished his sentence but is now facing this.
John ***********
@Amanda ******
thats why, find a WAT in US and see if the ajan can help in anyway.
Shezan ******
He can go volunteer in an NGO called Warmheart which is run by Americans/Thai-Americans then eventually figure out what he wants to do in life. He would get plenty of support there
Dana *******************
Is he a DACA recipient?
Jim ********
He could seek employment at a law office or visa agency or property management agency...seems right up his alley.
Steve **********
If born in us, cant deport
Sam *********
All these people writing things like "Oh, he's Thai, he's gonna love it, worse places to be deported to" kind of miss the point. He has lived in the US his whole life and it even says he knows "Nothing about Thailand"..this is not something that is an "oh well, he'll be fine" kind of deal, it's a serious disruption of his life and probably something that is causing him a great deal of stress and anxiety at the moment
Stéfan ********
@Sam ********
exactly... I know someone who was in the same position and was deported from the US... he hates his “new life” and just dreams of going back. All his friends and family are over there and he can’t seem to get his life in order... very sad
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sam ********
thank you for understanding. While there is worse places to be deported to as some has mentioned, he just knows nothing about Thailand. I put myself in his shoes and feel scared for him. Because it would be too overwhelming to try to figure out what to do and how to survive there without support. The only saving grace is he has some time to try to figure it out. He said maybe six months.
Ken ********
@Sam ********
so true Sam. I can help him get by for a while but i does he have any financial support for food etc.
Sophie *********
***********************************************
Kevin *********
I know that I may be a little biased already living here and all, but I’d be stoked to be sent off to Thailand! He has a skill, he knows the language, he can liquidate all his credit. What’s not to like? Plus he’ll probably have a hot girlfriend by next week!
Sophie *********
@Kevin ********
And why assume his heterosexuality? Plus, if you'd read the thread, you'd know that he does not in fact 'know the language', and also likely has no credit to liquidate. Being forced to move countries against one's will is no fun. Google it.
Kevin *********
@Sop***
! Try the decaf! It’s good! I promise!
Sophie *********
@Kevin ********
And end up looking like most dead-eyed farang men with a Thai woman who's equally dead-eyed as she wouldn't have touched him with a barge pole if not for her poverty.
Austin *********
@Sophie ********
really, you are very bias! Would men touch you if you didn't provide love, sex and hopefully have a job. Maybe your a Karen- stuck in your mommy's basement eating chips and scared to stand on a scale in fear you might brake it.
Sophie *********
@Austin ********
Your misogyny and cruelty are evident for all to see. What an arsehole you are. (And, btw, it's 'you're a Karen', not 'your'. And you can't spell 'break'.
Sophie *********
****************************************************************
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jeh *****
For work: If he can speak Thai, he can teach English.
Jeh *****
Och! I missed that thread. Agree, the academy or store front language center. Knowing Thai helps, a bit.
NaTasha ***************
@Jeh ****
he can teach English without thai
Ed *******
Best advice would be for him to contact the thai embassy - they will provide assistance
Scott *********
@Ed ******
my concern with that would be the criminal record, unnecessarily notifying them. Could make him a man without a country. Coming in and then sorting it out
Ed *******
@Scott ********
they will run a background check anyway-
Michael ********
Michael ********
Join Thai citizenship group to find out what he needs to get all his Thai documentation
Scott *********
Guys, stop hating and try to be helpful. Does it make you all feel better about yourselves just to run somebody else down? He's not in your life so what does it matter the circumstances or facts surrounding it. Why can't you all people just be helpful or shut the hell up. Bunch of trolls with no life.
Charlie *******
The best way is becoming english teacher. Keep fighting and welcome to thailand
Stephen *******
@Charlie ******
He's Thai. He can do any job.
Scott *********
Does he have a skillset that he can work remotely? If so, get a job and go to Thailand, work from there and he's golden.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Scott ********
that’s a good idea.
Joseph *********
There are worse places to be deported to. He got lucky
Jim ********
@Randy *********
I think he should be grateful he is coming back to sunny Thailand. The opportunities for running his own barber shop here are plentiful. Also, new laws surrounding plant medicine are in his favor. Blunts & Barbers Bangkok coming soon!!!
Sam *********
@Joseph ********
you are projecting your own experiences on him …yes, you like Thailand and maybe have chosen to live there. This individual however has lived in the US his whole life and this is a case of him being sent back to a place he doesn’t know at all and against his will..I don’t think there is any “luck” in this situation…
Jim ********
@Sam ********
I think this is a blessing for him with current US gas prices
Stéfan ********
@Jim *******
gas prices are the same in Thailand
Jim ********
@Stéfan *******
Did they go up? Only by like 10 to 20 bhat last time I checked.
Stéfan ********
@Jim *******
46 baht per litre... 1.26 usd in the US
Jim ********
Jim ********
@Stéfan *******
US Prices are $5-$6 at their lowest in Los Angeles and San Francisco and were as high as $8-9 USD recently at some stations. Where are you from?
Randy **********
@Jim *******
is there a sarcasm emoji/icon/sticker that one can push with a numbered scale to display the sarcasm level...?

I have thrown or said aloud some things about people during injuries/sickness/deaths....but I didnt know any of the parties involved...same here, but have been in a similar-ish situation and have known a person in that exact situation.

Level ⁷ sarcasm⁹ or ¹⁰....found it, sort of.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Landon *****
Things could be great for him. If he has established credit in the U.S. He could maintain it from here or liquidate it before he’s deported. 5-10 grand can easily cover his living expenses for a year. With his language skill, he can setup a business catering to English speaking foreigners Or get a decent paying job.

His position in my opinion could suck but presents great opportunities.
Chris *********
Agree that if he speaks En+TH and has lifelong US skills AND if has Thai nationality he could be in a very good position to find a good job or start a business. What's his profession?
Chris *********
Thai citizen? If not, I think that's a prohibited job for non Thais
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********
he is a barber.
Garrett ***********
@Landon ****
Actually not a bad idea. If he's not going back to the US, no reason not to liquidate his credit.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Landon ****
thank you
Edgar ************
It's going to be very hard because he will have to get a local job and live on a thai income since he is deported from the US. He knows no Thai language and has no family here, things will be terrible
Stephen *******
@Roderick ************
Why? He is Thai and can work in farang tourist areas. Easy.
Sam *********
@Stephen ******
nothing about this situation is “easy”
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roderick ************
yes, I agree it will be very difficult.
Eric **********
This may sound silly but... If he does get deported and ends up in LOS he might want to hook up with a local "Christian" group. It isn't what they are there for but they would speak english and may show him some compassion.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *********
thank you! Something to consider as well.
Eric **********
@Amanda ******
He's in a tough spot. I hope it works out for him. I'm sure life hasn't been easy.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *********
thank you! He is definitely in a tough position. Just hoping I can help a little.
Eric **********
@Amanda ******
If you get more info please reach out.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *********
thank you
Russell *******
Think he needs a US lawyer . Sounds like he has a strong case to remain in USA .
Naja ***********
How? He committed a crime, was sentenced, competed his sentence and now will be deported. I'm not sure how strong this case is?
Jeffrey ************
Ask your local RTE for advice....
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Kim *********************
@Amanda ******
Royal thai embassy.
Rampi ********
Is he being deported to stand trial in Thailand? If so, the cops will pick him at the airport ... more likely from the door of the airplane. The law will dictate the rest.
Randy **********
@Rampi *******
this happened to a friend of mine....but was another close asian country. 3-4 years as a kid and the gradual journey to the US. 10-15 years in the US, free as a bird. 20 more years in the US as a guest in a "rent and food" provided "facility". After the government said he was all paid up to society, a weird set of circumstances that couldnt be fixed (should have been automatically done twice as a kid) given a ticket to fly home to a place he hasnt stepped foot in in almost 40 years. No friends, no family, didnt speak the language...with just the clothes on his back.... and no, not the beginning of a book or movie, would be an interesting one to watch. At least here had a bit more of a safety net of organizations or individuals that can help.
Prieto ****
@Randy *********
I don't understand, they live in the US 40 years illegally?
Steve **********
@Prieto ***
Most likely a refugee that never naturalized before committing and getting convicted of a felony. Many Cambodians were deported under such circumstances.
Randy **********
@Steve *********
wow....amazing guess. I didnt think people would know about this. I didn't until I heard them tell me their story....it's the shit you make a book or movie about...at the least an A&E daytime movie.
Rampi ********
Randy **********
@Rampi *******
555/LOL...really, a friend of mine...not the typical "asking for a friend" reference meaning...
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rampi *******
no, he did not commit a crime in Thailand. He has been here since he was a few months old. He did commit a crime here in the US, but has served his sentence. And now is facing deportation.
Douglas *******
@Amanda ******
English teachers needed all over.
Jim ********
Ccl Cyl Really? Never heard of that. US is a country where they don't even do a police clearance from Thailand.
Randy **********
Ccl Cyl if applying as a foreigner to come to Thailand for a job teaching possibly a lot of vulnerable kids, in a country with a checkered past. Those teachers working or volunteering for schools or organizations that had other intentions, the international criminal check was to stop circulation of these people once caught would move to the next country.

For him, in theory would have only a thai background check if one is even done at all.

I think they need teachers, as there was a shortage here due to visa crackdowns and COVID closures
Jim ********
Ccl Cyl I don't think so... I worked at a school and didn't have to do anything like that. They may do it in the US but NOT here. But depending on what he did, I don't think he should be teaching at a school.
Jim ********
Ccl Cyl Yeah, I guess it depends if it is an International School, Public School, or Private School - the three different kinds of schools. Some of the private schools I don't think want to pay for one so that is how some of the more dodgy teachers get in.
Rampi ********
@Amanda ******
a good lawyer in the US might help. Been in US for 46 years. His English could get him a job in Thailand.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rampi *******
that’s a good suggestion. I’ll look into that for him.
Maxim ***********
The story is missing information. Someone in the US since he was a baby getting deported I assume 15+ years later is weird unless he is a criminal.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
yes, he was charged with a crime.
Landon *****
@Amanda ******
what’s the crime??
Eric **********
Does he have Thai citizenship? How old is he?
Eric **********
If he has a Thai Birth Certificate he needs to head to the Amphoe and speak to them they will help him. At least get on the path of an ID card.
Danny *******
@Eric *********
If he is facing deportation from the US he isn't in Thailand yet and may not even have a Thai passport. The Thai Embassy in the US would be a better source of help.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Danny ******
thank you. I will look into that for him.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *********
I’m not sure on that one. I will have to ask him.
Markus **********
@Amanda ******
of course he have one. How else could he be deported to Thailand?
Danny *******
@Markus *********
If he came in as a baby maybe he didn't have one yet.
Markus **********
@Danny ******
understand but you can not deport some if they don't have a citizenship. And if so maybe the case you say the Thai embassy will correct it before he gets deported
Peter ****************
Indeed. A Thai passport would make things a bit less complicated I guess....
Terary **********
This is a new one. Does he speak the Language? He can always stay at the temple, so I am told. If he is English speaking he probably could get a teaching job pretty easy. It's not great but it's a good start.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
no, he doesn’t speak the language. That may be an option he can look into as far as teaching English. Would he be able to speak with someone at the temple to see if that would be an option for him?
Terary **********
@Amanda ******
Temple, here serves many functions, the poor house being one of them. It's kind of a lost resort for some people here. I wouldn't know who to call. I think the deal is, he shows up, says he is hungry and no place to stay, and they may provide his some food and shelter. It's only a last resort.

How old is your friend?
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
okay, that is definitely something he can consider. He is 46.
Terary **********
@Amanda ******
I have read through this thread. Somethings to consider.

A) Find an immigration lawyer. The US Latino community would be a place to look. Se Habla Esponol. Those lawyers will be more familiar with a case like your friends. Many Latinos come to the US without proper paperwork and manage a long happy life in the US.

B) If your friend is not currently detained and certain they will get deported, I would recommend he avoid capture, and try to earn as much money as possible and put it in a place that police aren't likely to look (your bank account). Eventually when they do catch up to him and give him the boot, it will give him some financial resources.

The Thai version of retirement is depend on your children. Parents send kids to go live with grandparents, and pay for the livelihood of both parents and children. As they get older they retire to the village and their kids work, send home paycheck and their kids. If your friend isn't currently in the cycle it will be difficult for him to NOT be a burden.
Ryan ***********
@Terary *********
The words you were searching for is many illegal 👽 come to USA and continue to break US laws”
Terary **********
@Ryan **********
"come to us" Where are you?
Ryan ***********
@Terary *********
I meant come to USA 🤦🏾
Terary **********
@Ryan **********
Go to the US.
Amanda *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
thank you so much for the suggestion and education. I’ll definitely look into an immigration attorney for him.
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